Google Wallet Spreads: See What Stores Near You Accept It

October 18, 2011

9:59 am

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When Google Wallet launched less than a month ago, I said its success would depend on vendors supporting its NFC technology. Yesterday, Google showed a commitment to recruiting those vendors, announcing partnerships with Jamba Juice, OfficeMax, the Container Store, Macy’s, Foot Locker, American Eagle, Guess, and Toys“R”Us.

In addition to paying, Google Wallet users can now wave their phones to use coupons, earn reward points, and (at some stores) apply loyalty cards – a process Google is calling SingleTap. Enter your zip code here to see participating stores near you. Some more vendors working on Wallet integration are Pinkberry, Subway, Chevron, D’Agostino, Faber News Now, and Gristedes Supermarkets, and Google is asking other interested vendors to sign up on their website.

The new version of Google Wallet also includes featured offers – offers only available on Google Wallet – and more detailed transaction history.

As before, Google Wallet is only available on Nexus S 4G phones using a Citi MasterCard or Google Prepaid Card, so its reach remains limited. But Google’s speed in adding vendors and releasing updates means we should expect quick improvements in the future.